Jack Sock has found it tough going the last few months. Since suffering a shock second round loss to Sebastian Ofner at Wimbledon the American has struggled after a terrific start to the season that had seen him win titles in Auckland and Delray Beach.
Yet Sock ground out a tough come-from-behind win against sometime doubles partner Vasek Pospisil in the first round, and was forced to play three sets once again in round two against the Netherlands Robin Haase, eventually winning 6-4, 2-6, 6-4. Sock won the first set before floundering in the second, with two breaks for Haase giving the set a rather lopsided look. Sock recovered to seal the only break of the third. The World No.23 went a very respectable 3/6 on his break point opportunities including 1/1 in the decider.
Sock, seeded 5th in Basel, will play either 3rd seed David Goffin or Hyeon Chung in the quarter-finals.
Sock was the only American from four to progress from their matches on Wednesday, as his compatriots all slumped to straight set losses. Ryan Harrison probably had it toughest as he lost to 6th seed Roberto Baustista Agut 6-3, 7-6. Jared Donaldson and Donald Young both lost to qualifiers, combining to win just seven games. Donaldson looked affected by an ailment as he was beaten 6-0, 6-1 by Marton Fucsovics, whilst Young was beaten 6-4, 6-2 by Julien Benneteau.
Borna Coric kept his hopes of featuring in the Next Gen Finals by defeating Henri Laaksonen 6-7, 6-1, 6-3, whilst in-form 7th seed Adrian Mannarino required three sets to see off Ruben Bemelmans 7-6, 4-6, 6-1.
Finally, Stockholm champion Juan Martin del Potro produced a good display to dispatch Portugal’s Joao Sousa. Del Potro played two excellent sets to win 6-1, 4-6, 6-1. Del Potro will face Julien Benneteau tomorrow, with Roberto Baustista Agut awaiting the winner of that match.
